Hector gains, loses member of councilThe Hector City Council both gained and lost a member at its Oct. 17, regular monthly meeting. A vacancy on the council has existed for two months since the resignation of long-time member Jean Hull because of health problems. Hector resident Jason Waterson was recommended by Mayor John Riley as someone interested in serving who had worked with the council on projects before and was of a good reputation in the community. The council members pr...

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BY STEVE LEAVELL
sleavell@cswnet.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Quarter of cancer deaths linked with one thing: smokingCHICAGO -- Cigarettes contribute to more than 1 in 4 cancer deaths in the U.S. The rate is highest among men in Southern states where smoking is more common and the rules against it are not as strict. The American Cancer Society study found the highest rate among men in Arkansas, where 40 percent of cancer deaths were linked to cigarette smoking. Kentucky had the highest rate among women -- 29 percent. The lowest rates were in Utah, where 22 p...

Dolly Parton Imagination Library FoundationStudies have shown that children from ages 3-5 who have been read to at least three times per week were two times more likely to recognize all letters, two times more likely to have word-sight recognition and two times more likely to understand words in context, according to the American Library Association. With the hopes of improving childhood literacy, the Dolly Parton Imagination Library is an early childhood development program that mails...

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BY EMILY SRADER
newsclerk@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Tax increase higher than thoughtThe amount of money a property tax increase approved by the Russellville City Council during its October meeting Thursday was much higher than previously stated. A resolution levying millage taxes on all property set the millage for the police retirement fund at .4 mills, or remained the same. The millage for the fire retirement fund was increased from .4 to .8 mills. The council was told the property tax increase would come to about $1 on a h...

Board OKs statementsArkansas Tech University has new mission and vision statements following action by the institution's Board of Trustees during its monthly meeting on Wednesday. The statements were drafted by trustees during a board retreat in August. Members of the university community had an opportunity to review the drafts and provide feedback through an online form during the month of September. The new mission statement for Arkansas Tech is: Arkansas Tech ...

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BY Sam Strasner
FOR THE COURIERThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Police give tips for safe HalloweenWith Halloween just around the corner, the excitement of trick-or-treating amongst kids is growing. Who has the best costume and what candy they hope to receive are a few of the popular topics. However, local police departments want to remind children and their parents of safety tips to have a safe and happy Halloween. Dardanelle Police Chief Montie Sims said one thing he encourages is for parents to not let their children travel up to houses ...

Obama administration confirms double-digit premium hikesWASHINGTON — Premiums will go up sharply next year under President Barack Obama's health care law, and many consumers will be down to just one insurer, the administration confirmed Monday. That's sure to stoke another "Obamacare" controversy days before a presidential election. Before taxpayer-provided subsidies, premiums for a midlevel benchmark plan will increase an average of 25 percent across the 39 states served by the federally run onlin...

One-fourth of US cancer deaths linked with 1 thing: smokingCHICAGO — Cigarettes contribute to more than 1 in 4 cancer deaths in the U.S. The rate is highest among men in Southern states where smoking is more common and the rules against it are not as strict. The American Cancer Society study found the highest rate among men in Arkansas, where 40 percent of cancer deaths were linked to cigarette smoking. Kentucky had the highest rate among women — 29 percent. The lowest rates were in Utah, where 22 per...

“Miss Julie” scheduled for Oct. 26-29 at Techionery TheatreArkansas Tech University Theatre will present four performances of the late 19th century drama “Miss Julie” at the Techionery Theatre this week. Showings will begin at 8 p.m. nightly from Wednesday, Oct. 26, through Saturday, Oct. 29, at 1502 North El Paso Ave. in Russellville. Tickets are $8 for general admission and $5 for students. They will be available at the door and will not be sold in advance. Jenava Harris, technical arts supervisor f...

RPD receives state accreditationAfter almost three years of rewriting policy, training personnel and a few agency inspections, the Russellville Police Department (RPD) has officially been accredited by the Arkansas Law Enforcement Accreditation Program (ALEAP). ALEAP is a part of the Arkansas Association of Chief of Police and has been in the works for five years. Russellville is the fourth law enforcement agency to be awarded the accreditation. "It shows we're serious about...

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Sierra Murphy and Sean IngramThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Savage Storm overtakes ATUDURANT, Okla. -- Two second-half touchdown runs by Devlon Wortham allowed Southeastern Oklahoma State University to come from behind and defeat Arkansas Tech University 36-31 in Great American Conference football at Paul Laird Field on Saturday afternoon. Wortham scored from 1 yard out at the 3:26 mark of the third quarter and again with 8:07 left in the fourth quarter to erase what was an 8-point Wonder Boys' lead and stop Tech's two-game win...

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BY SAM STRASNER
arkansastechnews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

Council raises property taxesThe Russellville City Council approved a resolution levying millage taxes on all property in the city during its regular meeting Thursday. The millage for the police retirement remained the same at .4 mills. The millage for the fire retirement was increased from .4 to .8 mills. Finance Director Jerry McKaughan told the council the property tax increase would come to about $1 on a house that was valued at $200,000. Mayor Randy Horton said Frida...

Arbors facility public hearing will be MondayA public hearing for The Arbors assisted living facility is on the agenda for Monday's Russellville Planning Commission meeting, scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. The Board of Adjustment meets at 5 in City Hall. Members of the Russellville Planning Commission said during their August meeting that more assisted living facilities are needed in the community. Representatives of The Arbors at Russellville Assisted Living Facility gave a presentation...

Lt. General Honoré to speak Wednesday at RHSRussellville School District invites the community to attend an informative presentation by Lieutenant General Russel L. Honoré at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 9, at The Center for The Arts located on the Russellville High School campus. With 37 years of military experience, Lt. Gen. Honoré will provide valuable insight and strategies for the public and private sector to solve a broad array of issues in his speech titled "Resilient Leadership: Pr...

Arkansas first lady to attend local fundraiserThe Pope County Royal Family Kids (RFK) Camp is welcoming first lady of Arkansas Susan Hutchinson as guest speaker for their fundraising event at 6 p.m. Nov. 8 at the Pottsville Assembly of God church. The First Lady brings to the Governor's mansion a lifetime of experience advocating for and working with children. The former school teacher has spent the past several years on the board of the Children's Advocacy Center of Benton County -- one ...

Sister Josita NahlenEighty-one years ago, at 18-years-old, Sister Mary Josita Nahlen decided to take her vows and become a nun. Nahlen was a devoted relative, teacher and servant of God. Nahlen was born on July 29, 1917, in Conway, as Christine Catherine. Nahlen went to school at Saint Joseph's in Conway. Her uncle was the third Abbot Fr. Paul Nahlen at the Subiaco Abbey. "She was about 16 when she decided she wanted to be a nun. During that time, in the Catholic...

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BY EMILY SRADER AND THE ARKANSAS CATHOLIC
newsclerk@couriernews.comThe Courier Your Messenger For The River Valley

S.T.O.P. the risk of skin cancer in childrenPottsville Middle Grades Social Studies teacher Sarah Shewmake is thrilled to bring a wonderful program to Pottsville School District that provides protection for students on the playground. Shade Trees on Playgrounds (STOP) is a program designed to provide large, quality shade trees to playgrounds, parks, ball fields, trails and other places children play in the sun. The USDA Forest Service Plant-A-Tree Program provides public schools with th...